Friday, March 07, 2008

DIC Confident Of Closing Deal For Liverpool

Tom Hicks is expected in London early next week to discuss the future of Liverpool with Dubai International Capital, with indications that that American's stance has softened somewhat and that a deal to sell the club could be imminent.

The club’s co-owner has been in a stand-off with DIC all week over their attempts to buy Liverpool for £400 million. However, he is now believed to have assured Amanda Staveley, DIC’s chief negotiator in the UK, which he will be prepared to talk business at the same time as Liverpool will be in Italy preparing for their Champions League match with Inter Milan.

By the time Liverpool return from the San Siro, the future ownership of the club could be known - and a DIC source appeared confident that a deal could be in the offing, saying: “We are in the end zone.”

DIC is the financial arm of Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Staveley reports directly to him and chief executive Sameer al-Ansari - a lifelong Liverpool fan who has been the driving force behind two attempts to buy the club.

DIC have been encouraged today by claims that Hicks has agreed not to block the sale of his co-owner George Gillett’s 50 per cent holding.

Hicks has also intimated he is still not prepared to sell any of his stake - but DIC appear prepared to go with that suggestion, for now at least.

The source said: “To accommodate a deal, DIC, within reason, would accept certain agreements. It looks as if we are in the home straight. A deal involving both parties could be imminent.”

After a week of constant cross-Atlantic negotiations through Staveley, lawyers and accountants, DIC are confident they will eventually control Liverpool.

It is also believed that Gillett, who has wanted ’out’ for some while, is not willing to sell a small percentage of his stake to Hicks.

DIC dispatched a representative to Anfield last night to watch the Barclays Premier League match against West Ham from the Kop - where he was able to judge the mood of fans and hold general discussions with members of the ‘Spirit of Shankly’ group who have been campaigning for the end of the Americans’ rule at Anfield.

Fans chanted against the Americans before the game and at half-time, but not during the match or at the end.

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